Systems and methods for synchronizing delivery of related parcels via a computerized locker bank

ABSTRACT

A synchronized delivery system for delivering parcels directly to an alternate delivery location such as a locker bank in lieu of making any delivery attempt at a primary delivery location such as a home or office. The system may deliver parcels directly to the alternate delivery location when a related parcel is currently stored at the alternate delivery location awaiting pickup. A related parcel may include a parcel addressed to the same consignee, to a related consignee (e.g., such as a neighbor, roommate, or spouse), or to another authorized to pick up parcels on behalf of the consignee. When delivering parcels to alternate deliver locations, the system may facilitate a grouping of related parcels in a single locker.

BACKGROUND

The continued growth of e-commerce and the resultant increase in parceldelivery volume has led to increased challenges related to the last legof parcel delivery (e.g., ‘the last mile problem’). Generally, forcommon carriers, parcel delivery comprises a series of segments betweenan origin location and a destination location. Points between thesesegments may include, for example, a pick-up location, intermediate hub,destination hub, and delivery address. The final segment in delivery ofa parcel typically includes a segment between a destination hub and thedelivery address of the parcel. Challenges related to the final segmentmay arise when a consignee is not present at the delivery address totake delivery of the parcel. This may, for example, cause the commoncarrier to make multiple trips to the same delivery address tosuccessfully deliver the item. Each additional trip to the deliveryaddress may have an added associated cost that the common carrier mustbear. Accordingly, there is a need for improved systems and processesfor addressing these challenges.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

A direct-to-locker bank delivery system, in various embodiments,comprises a computerized locker bank and one or more remote logisticsservers comprising one or more processors and memory. In particularembodiments, the computerized locker bank comprises a plurality ofselectively securable locker compartments, each of the plurality ofselectively securable locker compartments comprising one or more doorsand one or more locking mechanisms; and one or more locker bankcomputers comprising one or more processors and memory. In someembodiments, the memory stores: (1) first package level detailinformation for a first parcel, the first package level detailinformation comprising data associated with a first consignee; and (2)one or more pieces of package level detail information for one or moreparcels currently stored at the computerized locker bank, wherein theone or more pieces of package level detail information comprise, foreach respective parcel of the plurality of parcels, consigneeinformation for the respective parcel. In particular embodiments, theone or more processors are configured to: (1) receive an indication thatthe first parcel is scheduled for delivery at a primary deliverylocation; (2) determine whether the one or more parcels currently storedat the computerized locker bank comprise one or more second parcelsassociated with the first parcel based on the one or more pieces ofpackage level detail information for the one or more parcels currentlystored at the computerized locker bank and the first package leveldetail information; (3) in response to determining that the one or moreparcels currently stored at the computerized locker bank comprise theone or more second parcels, route the first parcel to the computerizedlocker bank without attempting delivery of the first parcel at theprimary delivery location; (4) receive a request to deliver the firstparcel to the computerized locker bank; and (5) in response to receivingthe request, operate the one or more locking mechanisms on a particularone of the plurality of selectively securable locker compartments toopen the one or more doors.

In various embodiments, determining whether the one or more parcelscurrently stored at the computerized locker bank comprise one or moresecond parcels associated with the first parcel comprises determiningwhether any of the one or more parcels currently stored at thecomputerized locker bank have a consignee selected from a groupconsisting of: (1) a neighbor of the first consignee; (2) an individualthat shares the primary delivery address with the first consignee; and(3) the first consignee.

In still further embodiments, the first package level detail informationfurther comprises one or more dimensions of the first parcel; and theone or more pieces of package level detail information for the one ormore parcels currently stored at the computerized locker bank furthercomprise, for each respective parcel of the plurality of parcels, one ormore dimensions of the respective parcel. In such embodiments, the oneor more processors may be further configured to: (1) determine, based onthe one or more dimensions of the first parcel and one or moredimensions of the one or more second parcels, whether a particular oneof the plurality of selectively securable locker compartments issufficiently large to accommodate both the first parcel and the one ormore second parcels; and (2) in response to determining that theparticular one of the plurality of selectively securable lockercompartments is sufficiently large to accommodate both the first parceland the one or more second parcels, facilitate placement of the firstparcel and the one or more second parcels in the particular one of theplurality of selectively securable locker compartments.

A computer-implemented method of facilitating delivery of a first parcelto a locker bank, in various embodiments, comprises: (1) receiving, byone or more processors, at a logistics server, a request to deliver afirst parcel to a first location; (2) at least partially in response toreceiving the request, determining, by one or more processors, for atleast one second location, whether one or more second parcels currentlystored at the at least one second location are associated with the firstparcel, wherein the at least one second location comprises a lockerbank; (3) in response to determining that the one or more second parcelsare associated with the first parcel, routing, by one or moreprocessors, the first parcel to the second location; (receiving, by oneor more processors, a request to deliver the first parcel to thecomputerized locker bank at the second location; and (4) in response toreceiving the request, operating, by one or more processors, the one ormore locking mechanisms on a particular one of the plurality ofselectively securable locker compartments to open the one or more doors.In particular embodiments the locker bank comprises a plurality ofselectively securable locker compartments, each of the plurality ofselectively securable locker compartments comprising one or more doorsand one or more locking mechanisms; and one or more locker bankcomputers comprising one or more processors and memory.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of a system and method for synchronizing delivery ofrelated parcels to a computerized locker bank are described below. Inthe course of this description, reference will be made to theaccompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, andwherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a synchronized delivery system inaccordance with an embodiment of the present system;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a computer, such as the logisticsserver of FIG. 1, that is suitable for use in various embodiments;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary computerized locker bank according to aparticular embodiment;

FIG. 4 depicts a flow chart that generally illustrates various stepsexecuted by a Direct to Locker Bank Delivery Determination Module that,for example, may be executed by the logistics server of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 depicts a flow chart that generally illustrates various stepsexecuted by a Synchronized Parcel Delivery to Locker Bank Module that,for example, may be executed by the logistics server of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 depicts a flow chart that generally illustrates various stepsexecuted by a Parcel Pickup Authorization Module that, for example, maybe executed by the logistics server of FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 7-9 depict exemplary illustrative examples of an implementation ofa synchronized delivery system according to various embodiments; and

FIG. 10 depicts an exemplary user experience (e.g., delivery driverexperience) according to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that theinvention may be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to thoseskilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Overview

In light of the ‘last mile problem’ and in the interest of conservingresources such as fuel, vehicle wear-and-tear, etc., logistics providersmay desire to reduce a number of delivery attempts that a deliverydriver must make as part of a last leg of delivery of a parcel (e.g., toa consignee's home or business). Reducing the number of deliveryattempts may include, for example: (1) reducing a number of subsequentdelivery attempts following an initial, unsuccessful delivery attempt;and/or (2) avoiding a need to make the initial delivery attempt at all.A logistics provider may utilize a synchronized delivery system in orderto facilitate delivery of related parcels to a computerized locker bankfor retrieval by a parcel consignee or another on behalf of theconsignee in various situations such as, for example: (1) following aninitial, unsuccessful delivery attempt at a primary delivery location(e.g., such as the consignee's home or business); or (2) directly from adelivery hub, in lieu of making an initial attempt to deliver the parcelat the primary delivery location.

In particular embodiments, the synchronized delivery system isconfigured to determine whether one or more conditions exist such thatthe logistics provider can deliver a parcel directly to a computerizedlocker bank in lieu of making any delivery attempt to the primarydelivery location of the parcel. In various embodiments, the one or moreconditions may include any suitable condition such as, for example: (1)a consignee associated with the parcel already has another parcelawaiting pick up at the computerized locker bank; (2) a third party thatthe consignee has authorized to pick up parcels on their behalf has aparcel awaiting pick up at the computerized locker bank; (3) one or moreother parcels associated with the parcel in any other suitable way areawaiting pick up at the computerized locker bank; (4) a third party thatthe consignee has authorized to pick up parcels on their behalf has hada parcel redirected to a computerized locker bank; and/or the like.Generally, routing a parcel directly to a locker bank may enable theconsignee or the third party to pick up both parcels (since they alreadyneed to make the trip) while also saving a logistics provider fromhaving to make the delivery attempt at the primary delivery location.

As an example, a logistics provider may prefer to deliver a first parceladdressed to a particular consignee directly to a computerized lockerbank rather than attempting delivery at the consignee's home when theconsignee already has a second parcel at the computerized locker bankawaiting pick up by the consignee. Because, in this example, theconsignee already needs to travel to the computerized locker bank toretrieve the second parcel, it may make sense to deliver the firstparcel directly to the locker bank, so the consignee can pick up boththe first parcel and the second parcel at the same time. This may avoid,for example, the logistics provider from making an unsuccessful deliveryattempt at the consignee's home with the first parcel, only to have tothen deliver the first parcel to the locker bank anyway.

In addition to avoiding unnecessary delivery attempts when a consigneehimself or herself already has a parcel stored at a locker bank awaitingpickup, various embodiments of a synchronized delivery system maydetermine to deliver a parcel associated with a consignee directly to acomputerized locker bank in lieu of attempting delivery of the parcel atthe consignee's primary delivery address in response to determining thata third party, acting on behalf of the consignee, has a parcel stored atthe locker bank awaiting pickup. A particular consignee may, forexample, authorize one or more neighbors, roommates, friends,co-workers, etc. to pick up parcels on their behalf. In suchembodiments, for example, a person may have authorized their neighbor topick up parcels for them from a locker bank. The system may then (1)determine that a first parcel needs to be delivered to the person; (2)determine that the authorized third party already has a parcel at thelocker bank awaiting pick up by the authorized third party; and (3)facilitate delivery of the first parcel directly to the locker bank inlieu of attempting delivery at the person's home address. The authorizedthird party may then be able to retrieve both their parcel and theperson's parcel from the locker bank and deliver the person's parcel tothem.

In various embodiments, a synchronized delivery system may be furtherconfigured for facilitating grouping of related parcels in a singlelocker at a locker bank. For example, the system may be configured tofacilitate grouping a parcel addressed to a consignee that was deliveredto a locker bank at a first time with a second parcel addressed to theconsignee that was delivered to the locker bank at a later time. Invarious embodiments, this may reduce a number of lockers used forrelated parcels at a particular locker bank and further reduce a chancethat the locker bank will become full and unable to accept newdeliveries. In still further embodiments, the related parcels mayinclude one or more parcels having a plurality of consignees. This mayinclude, for example, facilitating grouping of parcels having consigneeswho have authorized each other to retrieve parcels from the locker bankon the other's behalf in a single locker. This grouping of parcels mayensure, for example, that related parcels are delivered in a‘synchronized’ manner (e.g., to the same location or locker) such that aconsignee or others on their behalf do not have parcels for retrieval ata plurality of different locations, or in a plurality of differentlockers at the same location.

Exemplary Technical Platforms

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the relevant field, a systemfor synchronizing delivery of related parcels may be, for example,embodied as a computer system, a method, or a computer program product.Accordingly, various embodiments may take the form of an entirelyhardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or an embodimentcombining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, particularembodiments may take the form of a computer program product stored on acomputer-readable storage medium having computer-readable instructions(e.g., software) embodied in the storage medium. Various embodiments maytake the form of web, mobile, wearable computer-implemented, computersoftware. Any suitable computer-readable storage medium may be utilizedincluding, for example, hard disks, compact disks, DVDs, optical storagedevices, and/or magnetic storage devices.

Various embodiments are described below with reference to block diagramsand flowchart illustrations of methods, apparatuses (e.g., systems), andcomputer program products. It should be understood that each block ofthe block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, and combinations ofblocks in the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, respectively,can be implemented by a computer executing computer programinstructions. These computer program instructions may be loaded onto ageneral purpose computer, special purpose computer, or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such thatthe instructions which execute on the computer or other programmabledata processing apparatus to create means for implementing the functionsspecified in the flowchart block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in acomputer-readable memory that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memoryproduce an article of manufacture that is configured for implementingthe function specified in the flowchart block or blocks. The computerprogram instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operationalsteps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus toproduce a computer implemented process such that the instructions thatexecute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide stepsfor implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block orblocks.

Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrationssupport combinations of mechanisms for performing the specifiedfunctions, combinations of steps for performing the specified functions,and program instructions for performing the specified functions. Itshould also be understood that each block of the block diagrams andflowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the blockdiagrams and flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by specialpurpose hardware-based computer systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or steps, or combinations of special purpose hardware andother hardware executing appropriate computer instructions.

Example System Architecture

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a synchronized delivery system 110according to a particular embodiment. As may be understood from thisfigure, the synchronized delivery system 110 includes one or morecomputer networks 115, one or more logistics servers 100, one or moredatabases 140, and one or more locker bank computers 130 operativelycoupled to one or more locker banks 170 and optionally in direct,wireless communication with a delivery driver's mobile computing device180. The synchronized delivery system 110 also, in the embodiment shownin this figure, includes one or more remote computing devices 150, suchas a tablet computer, a desktop or laptop computer, a handheld computingdevice such as a smart phone, etc. In particular embodiments, the one ormore computer networks 115 facilitate communication between thelogistics server 100, one or more databases 140, one or more locker bankcomputers 130, one or more locker banks 170, one or more remotecomputing devices 150, and the delivery driver's mobile computing device180.

In particular embodiments, the one or more remote computing devices 150are configured to access the one or more databases 140 (e.g., via theone or more networks 115) to retrieve package level detail information(e.g., PLD information) for one or more parcels. The one or more remotecomputing devices 150 may, for example, enable a consignee to retrievetracking information for one or more parcels that are currentlyscheduled for delivery to determine a delivery date/time, a deliverylocation, etc. The consignee may also use the one or more remotecomputing devices 150 to view changes in tracking information (e.g.,such as when a parcel is routed from a primary delivery location to analternate delivery location).

In various embodiments, the one or more locker banks 170 may include anetwork of computerized locker banks. For example, a particular networkof computerized locker banks may server as alternate delivery locationsfor a particular area or region (e.g., such as a city or neighborhood).In various embodiments, a particular logistics provider may operate thenetwork of locker banks. In other embodiments, a third party company mayoperate the network and enable one or more other logistics providers toutilize the one or more locker banks 170 within the network. In suchembodiments, the synchronized delivery system 110 (e.g., or any of itscomponents such as those shown in FIG. 1) may, for example, beconfigured to interface with one or more third party devices such as athird party computing device (not shown), a third party logistics server(not shown), etc.

The one or more computer networks 115 may include any of a variety oftypes of wired or wireless computer networks such as the Internet (orother WAN), a private intranet, a public switch telephone network(PSTN), a mesh network, or any other type of network (e.g., a networkthat uses Bluetooth (standard or low energy Bluetooth), beaconcommunication technologies (e.g., iBeacon), and/or near fieldcommunications to facilitate communication between computing devices).The communication link between the logistics server 100, database 140,one or more locker bank computers 130, one or more locker banks 170, oneor more remote computing devices 150 and the delivery driver's mobilecomputing device 180 may be, for example, implemented via a Local AreaNetwork (LAN) or via the Internet (or other WAN). In particularembodiments, a communication link (e.g., a wireless communication link)between the one or more locker bank computers 130 and the deliverydriver's mobile computing device 180 may be implemented via beaconcommunication technologies or any other suitable communication link(e.g., Bluetooth, infrared, NFC, IEEE 802.15.4). In various embodiments,while the one or more locker bank computers 130 are in wirelesscommunication (e.g., direct wireless communication) with the deliverydriver's mobile computing device 180, the delivery driver's mobilecomputing device 180 may be configured to operate as an input device forthe one or more locker bank computers 130. Exemplary interoperability ofthe delivery driver's mobile computing device 180 and the one or morelocker bank computers 130 is described more fully in application Ser.No. 15/252,629, filed, Aug. 31, 2016, entitled, “LOCKER BANKS WITHAUTOMATICALLY OPENING DOORS”, which is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety.

FIG. 2 illustrates a diagrammatic representation of a computerarchitecture 120 that can be used within the synchronized deliverysystem 110, for example, as a client computer (e.g., the deliverydriver's mobile computing device 180 or the one or more remote computingdevices 150 in FIG. 1), or as a server computer (e.g., the one or morelogistics servers 100 shown in FIG. 1). In particular embodiments, thecomputer 120 may be suitable for use as a computer within the context ofthe synchronized delivery system 110 that is configured to facilitaterouting of parcels to alternate delivery locations or facilitate thereceipt and/or processing of parcels once they are delivered to thealternate delivery locations.

In particular embodiments, the computer 120 may be connected (e.g.,networked) to other computers in a LAN, an intranet, an extranet, and/orthe Internet. As noted above, the computer 120 may operate in thecapacity of a server or a client computer in a client-server networkenvironment, or as a peer computer in a peer-to-peer (or distributed)network environment. The computer 120 may be a personal computer (PC), atablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), acellular telephone, a web appliance, a server, a network router, aswitch or bridge, or any other computer capable of executing a set ofinstructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be takenby that computer. Further, while only a single computer is illustrated,the term “computer” shall also be taken to include any collection ofcomputers that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets)of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein.

An exemplary computer 120 includes a processing device 202, a mainmemory 204 (e.g., read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, dynamic randomaccess memory (DRAM) such as synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) or Rambus DRAM(RDRAM), etc.), a static memory 206 (e.g., flash memory, static randomaccess memory (SRAM), etc.), and a data storage device 218, whichcommunicate with each other via a bus 232.

The processing device 202 represents one or more general-purposeprocessing devices such as a microprocessor, a central processing unit,or the like. More particularly, the processing device 202 may be acomplex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, reducedinstruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, very long instructionword (VLIW) microprocessor, or processor implementing other instructionsets, or processors implementing a combination of instruction sets. Theprocessing device 202 may also be one or more special-purpose processingdevices such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), afield programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP),network processor, or the like. The processing device 202 may beconfigured to execute processing logic 226 for performing variousoperations and steps discussed herein.

The computer 120 may further include a network interface device 208. Thecomputer 120 also may include a video display unit 210 (e.g., a liquidcrystal display (LCD) or a cathode ray tube (CRT)), an alphanumericinput device 212 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 214 (e.g.,a mouse), and a signal generation device 216 (e.g., a speaker).

The data storage device 218 may include a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium 230 (also known as a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium or a non-transitory computer-readablemedium) on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g.,software 222) embodying any one or more of the methodologies orfunctions described herein. The software 222 may also reside, completelyor at least partially, within main memory 204 and/or within processingdevice 202 during execution thereof by computer 120—main memory 204 andprocessing device 202 also constituting computer-accessible storagemedia. The software 222 may further be transmitted or received over anetwork 220 via network interface device 208.

While the computer-readable storage medium 230 is shown in an exemplaryembodiment to be a single medium, the terms “computer-readable storagemedium” and “machine-accessible storage medium” should be understood toinclude a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized ordistributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that storethe one or more sets of instructions. The term “computer-readablestorage medium” should also be understood to include any medium that iscapable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions forexecution by the computer and that cause the computer to perform any oneor more of the methodologies of the present invention. The term“computer-readable storage medium” should accordingly be understood toinclude, but not be limited to, solid-state memories, optical andmagnetic media, etc.

Exemplary Locker Bank

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary locker bank 170 that may be used in thecontext of a synchronized delivery system 110 for the temporary storageof one or more parcels until their retrieval (e.g., by a consignee oranother on the consignee's behalf). In the embodiment shown in thisfigure, the locker bank 170 comprises a locker bank computer 130 thatusers (e.g., such as delivery drivers or parcel consignees) may use tofacilitate the placement of one or more items into the locker bank 170and/or retrieval of one or more items from the locker bank 170, forexample, in any manner described in this disclosure or in any othersuitable manner. The locker bank computer 130, in a particularembodiment, comprises a touch-screen display 340, one or more imagingdevices 350 (e.g., one or more cameras), a card reader 360, and amachine-readable indicia scanner 370 (e.g., a barcode scanner). Thelocker bank 170 further comprises an optional awning 320 that extendsoutwardly from an upper portion of the locker bank 170 and may provideat least partial protection to users from various weather conditionssuch as rain, snow, wind, and sun when the users are placing parcelsinto the locker bank 170 and/or retrieving parcels from the locker bank170.

As shown in this figure, a locker bank 170, according to a particularembodiment, further comprises a plurality of lockers 310 of varyingsizes (e.g., small, medium, large, etc.). In a particular embodiment,the locker bank 170 comprises one or more secure lockers (e.g., one ormore selectively securable locker compartments), made of a sufficientlystrong material to prevent unwanted access to the lockers (e.g., asuitable metal such as steel). In various embodiments, the securelockers 310 of the locker bank 170 comprise any suitable number, size,shape, dimension, etc. For example, a particular locker bank may include25 secure lockers of varying sizes and shapes that are configured tohold a variety of different sized items. In various embodiments, thearrangement of the secure lockers 310 may include any suitablearrangement. For example, a particular locker bank may have all largelockers on the outer edges of the locker bank with smaller lockerstowards the center of the locker bank.

In a particular embodiment, a locker bank comprises a plurality ofsecure lockers that each comprises an enclosure 380 (e.g., asubstantially rectangular enclosure or any suitably shaped enclosure)defining at least one opening 382. In particular embodiments, each ofthe plurality of secure locker enclosures 380 define an enclosure havingparticular dimensions (e.g., a height, a width, and a depth). In variousembodiments, the at least one opening 382 defined by the enclosure 380defines a particular sized opening (e.g., having a height and width). Invarious embodiments, the one or more secure lockers 310 each comprise atleast one door 390 adjacent the opening 382 for selectively restrictingaccess to an interior portion of the one or more lockers 310 (e.g., aninterior portion of the enclosure). In particular embodiments, the atleast one door 390 is positioned to selectively prevent access to theinterior of the locker enclosure 380 through the at least one opening382 when the at least one door 390 is in a closed position. In variousembodiments, the at least one door 390 is configured, when in an openposition, to provide access to the interior of the locker enclosure 380through the at least one opening 382 as shown.

In various embodiments, the one or more lockers 310 further comprise atleast one locking mechanism 392 for maintaining the at least one door390 in the closed position. In particular embodiments, the lockingmechanism 392 includes an electronically-controlled locking mechanism.In particular embodiments, the locker bank computer 130 is configured toengage or disengage the locking mechanism 392 (e.g., lock and unlock thelocker) in order to provide or restrict access to the locker enclosure380.

Exemplary System Platform

Various embodiments of a system for delivering items (e.g. parcels) tocomputer-controlled alternate delivery locations (e.g., computerizedlocker banks) may be implemented within the context of any suitableservice. For example, particular embodiments may be implemented withinthe context of any logistics service (e.g., such as those provided byUnited Parcel Service of America, Inc. of Atlanta, Ga.). Various aspectsof the system's functionality may be executed by certain system modules,including a Direct-to-Locker-Bank Delivery Determination Module 400, aSynchronized Parcel Delivery to a Locker Bank Module 500, and a ParcelPick Up Authorization Module 600. These modules are discussed in greaterdetail below.

It should be understood, in light of this disclosure, that the variousfunctions described below in the context of the Direct-to-Locker-BankDelivery Determination Module 400, the Synchronized Parcel Delivery to aLocker Bank Module 500, and the Parcel Pick Up Authorization Module 600may be implemented in a manner other than the modular architecturedescribed below. Various embodiments of these functions are describedbelow in this manner to facilitate understanding of the inventiondescribed herein. Furthermore, while various embodiments described belowmay refer to various functions performed by the synchronized deliverysystem 110, it should be understood that such functions may beperformed, in particular embodiments, by any suitable component of, orcombination of components of the synchronized delivery system 110, suchas those described above with respect to FIG. 1.

Additionally, although various steps and functions are described asoccurring in response to another step, function, or triggering event, itshould be understood that in various other embodiments, such functionsor steps may occur in response to any other triggering functions orevents; independent of any triggering functions or events; at leastpartially in response to any triggering functions or events; or inresponse to or at least partially in response to any combination oftriggering functions, steps, events, etc. Although these exemplarymodules are described as performing these functions in a particularorder, it should be further understood that various other embodimentsand implementations of these functions may occur in an order other thanin which they are presented. Still other embodiments may omit particularsteps or functions described below or perform additional steps orfunctions to those described.

Although for illustrative purposes, the system will be generallydescribed in the context of parcel delivery to a computerized lockerbank, it should be understood that other embodiments of the synchronizeddelivery system may be implemented in the context of any other suitablealternate delivery location system that may, for example, utilizeattended or unattended alternate delivery locations as a temporarystorage location for retrieval of parcels by consignees and others ontheir behalf. In various embodiments, these alternate delivery locationsmay include any suitable location other than a primary delivery address(e.g., home or office address) of a consignee. This may include, forexample, any suitable location having one or more storage areas forholding items for later pickup. Particularly, these alternate deliverylocations may include, for example, retail stores, gas stations, grocerystores, pharmacies, or any other suitable location.

A. Direct-to-Locker-Bank Delivery Determination Module

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of operations performed by an exemplaryDirect-to-Locker-Bank Delivery Determination Module 400. In particularembodiments, a Direct-to-Locker-Bank Delivery Determination Module 400may facilitate the routing of a first parcel directly to an alternatedelivery location in lieu of attempting delivery of the first parcel ata primary delivery location. As discussed above, although theDirect-to-Locker-Bank Delivery Determination Module 400 belowparticularly describes parcel routing to a computerized locker bank, itshould be understood in the context of this disclosure that theDirect-to-Locker-Bank Delivery Determination Module 400 may, in variousother embodiments, be utilized in the context of the synchronizeddelivery system to route one or more parcels to any other suitablealternate delivery location or other location (e.g., a mobile packagecar, attended or unattended alternate delivery location, etc.).

In general, various embodiments of the Direct-to-Locker-Bank DeliveryDetermination Module 400 are configured to route one or more parcelsdirectly from a distribution hub to a computerized locker bank, ratherthan attempting a potentially unsuccessful delivery at a primarydelivery location in order to reduce a number of delivery attemptsacross a logistics network. As may be understood by one skilled in theart, eliminating even a single or a few delivery attempts over thecourse of a day for a particular delivery driver, when extrapolated overa period of time and plurality of other delivery drivers, may provide areduction in consumption of fuel, a reduction in wear-and-tear onvehicles, an increased productivity of delivery drivers, and otherbenefits to logistics providers or others who may implement asynchronized delivery system 110 such as the various embodiments of asynchronized delivery system 110 described herein.

Various steps of an exemplary Direct-to-Locker-Bank DeliveryDetermination Module 400 are described below. Although these steps arediscussed in a particular order, it should be understood that particularembodiments of a Direct-to-Locker-Bank Delivery Determination Module 400may include one or more additional steps to those described, may omitone or more of the described steps, or may perform any of the steps inan order other than in which they are presented.

I. Receive an Indication that a First Parcel Having an AssociatedConsignee is Scheduled for Delivery at a Primary Delivery Location

Referring to FIG. 4, when executing the Direct-to-Locker-Bank DeliveryDetermination Module 400 (e.g., executed by the one or more logisticsservers 100), the synchronized delivery system 110 begins, at Step 410,by receiving an indication that a first parcel having an associatedconsignee is scheduled for delivery at a primary delivery location. Theprimary delivery location may, for example, include a delivery addressto which the particular parcel is initially addressed (e.g., by a senderof the particular parcel) such as, for example: (1) a home address ofthe parcel's consignee; (2) a work address of the parcels' consignee;(3) a vacation address of the parcel's consignee; (4) an address of afriend or relative of the parcel's consignee; (5) a locker bankconvenient to the parcel's consignee; or (6) any other suitablelocation. In such embodiments, the parcel may be addressed to bedelivered to the consignee at the primary delivery location (e.g., thefirst parcel may be addressed to the consignee and indicate their homeaddress on a shipping label printed or written on the first parcel).

In various embodiments, the system is configured to receive theindication when shipment of the first parcel is initiated (e.g., inresponse to initiation of shipment of the first parcel). In variousembodiments, the system receives the indication at the one or morelogistics servers 100 shown in FIG. 1. In particular embodiments, acommon carrier may, for example, receive a first parcel for delivery(e.g., at a parcel drop-off location). The synchronized delivery system110 may then receive consignee information associated with the firstparcel, information associated with the first parcel itself, shippinginformation associated with the first parcel, or other suitableinformation (e.g., package level detail (PLD) information).

In various embodiments, the PLD information may comprise, for exampleconsignee and/or shipper information associated with the first parcelsuch as: (1) a name of the consignee for the first parcel; (2) anaddress of the consignee for the first parcel; (3) an account number fora consignee account that the consignee has with the shipper of the firstparcel; (4) a return address of the first parcel; (5) contactinformation associated with the consignee of the first parcel (e.g.,telephone number, e-mail address, etc.); and/or any other suitableinformation associated with the first parcel's consignee or shipper. Infurther embodiments, the PLD information may comprise informationassociated with the first parcel such as, for example: (1) a descriptionof one or more items shipped in the first parcel; (2) a number of theone or more items in the first parcel; (3) a weight of the first parcel;(4) a size of the first parcel (e.g., including dimensions such aslength, width, and height); (5) a value of the one or more items in thefirst parcel; and/or (6) any other suitable information associated withthe first parcel itself or the one or more items within. In still otherembodiments, the PLD information may comprise shipping informationassociated with the first parcel such as, for example; (1) service level(e.g., overnight shipping, two-day shipping, ground shipping, etc.); (2)one or more special handling instructions (e.g., fragile, one or moretemperature requirements, one or more special monitoring or trackingrequirements, etc.); and/or (3) any other suitable shipping informationassociated with the first parcels.

In various embodiments, the synchronized delivery system 110 isconfigured to retrieve at least a portion of the PLD information using aunique tracking number associated with the first parcel, for example;(1) before intake of the first parcel; (2) concurrently with intake ofthe first parcel; or (3) after intake of the first parcel. The systemmay then use the PLD information to generate a shipping label forplacement on the first parcel, where the shipping label includes theprimary delivery address.

As an example, the system may be configured to receive the indication inresponse to a customer of a logistics provider dropping off the firstparcel for shipment to the consignee (e.g., when the customer drops offthe first parcel at a drop-off location associated with the logisticsprovider, the system may receive a generated unique identifier such as a1Z number associated with the parcel). In other embodiments, the systemmay be configured to receive the indication from an online retailer,which may initiate the shipment in response to a purchase of one or moreitems from the online retailer by a customer of the online retailer.

In various other embodiments, the system (e.g., the one or morelogistics servers 100) may receive the indication during any suitablephase of a delivery process for delivering the first parcel to theprimary delivery location. In various embodiments, the indication mayinclude a notification, message, status transmission, update to trackinginformation, or other suitable indication. In various embodiment, as maybe understood by one skilled in the art, a parcel may be scanned atvarious points of the delivery process (e.g., at an intake location, ateach distribution between the intake location and the delivery address,etc.). In particular embodiments, in response to a scan of the firstparcel, the synchronized delivery system 110 may update trackinginformation associated with the first parcel (e.g., the PLD information)in the one or more databases 140 to include a time and location of thescan. In various embodiments, the system is configured to receive theindication that the first parcel is scheduled for delivery at theprimary delivery location in response to a scan of the first parcel at aparticular point in the delivery process.

For example, in particular embodiments, the system may receive theindication between a time at which the first parcel arrives at a localor regional distribution hub and a time at which the first parcel isloaded onto a delivery vehicle (e.g., package car) for delivery to theprimary delivery location. In other embodiments, the system isconfigured to receive the indication after the first parcel has beenloaded onto a delivery vehicle for delivery at the primary deliverylocation, but prior to a delivery attempt by a delivery driver of thefirst parcel at the primary delivery location. The system may, forexample, receive the indication in response to a scanning (e.g., by oneor more remote computing devices 150) of a unique identifier associatedwith the first parcel (e.g., which may be affixed to the first parcel).The unique identifier may be any unique identifier such as, for example,a linear barcode, a matrix barcode (e.g., QR code), an RFID tag, or anyother suitable identifier.

In various embodiments, the system is configured to receive theindication on a day in which the first parcel is scheduled for deliveryat the primary delivery location. In other embodiments, the system isconfigured to receive the indication immediately prior to facilitatingloading of the first parcel on a delivery vehicle for ultimate deliveryof the first parcel to the primary delivery location. In suchembodiments, receiving the indication immediately prior to loading thefirst parcel on a delivery vehicle for delivery may enable the system toroute the parcel directly to an alternate delivery location in lieu ofattempting delivery at the primary delivery location without having to,for example, facilitate transfer of the first parcel to a differentdelivery vehicle.

II. Determine Whether One or More Second Parcels Associated with theFirst Parcel are Currently Awaiting Pick Up at an Alternate DeliveryLocation

Continuing to Step 420, the system determines whether one or more secondparcels associated with the first parcel are currently awaiting pick upat an alternate delivery location. In various embodiments, the system isconfigured to make the determination in response to receiving theindication that the first parcel is scheduled for delivery at theprimary delivery location. In other embodiments, the system isconfigured to make the determination at a particular time prior to anexpected delivery time of the first parcel at the primary deliverylocation. For example, the system may make the determination prior toloading the first parcel on a delivery vehicle, before a deliveryvehicle carrying the first parcel leaves a distribution hub, or at anyother suitable point in time (e.g., at a specific amount of time priorto an estimated delivery time of the first parcel at the primarydelivery location). In still other embodiments, the system may make thedetermination in response to any other suitable triggering event orindependent of any triggering event.

In particular embodiments, the one or more second parcels associatedwith the first parcel (e.g., the first parcel's consignee) may includeone or more second parcels addressed to the consignee that the consigneehas not yet picked up from the alternate delivery location. In suchembodiments, the one or more second parcels that the consignee has notyet picked up may include, for example, one or more second parcels thatwere routed to the alternate delivery location following a previousunsuccessful delivery attempt of the one or more second parcels at theconsignee's primary delivery location (e.g., home). For example, if alogistics provider attempted delivery of parcel A for a consignee at theconsignee's primary delivery location on a Monday, and the consignee wasnot present to sign for the parcel, the logistics company may haverouted the parcel to a computerized locker bank. If, on a subsequent day(e.g., the following day), the logistics company has parcel B scheduledfor delivery at the consignee's primary delivery location, and theconsignee has not yet picked up parcel A from the computerized lockerbank, the system would determine that parcel A is associated with parcelB and currently awaiting pick up at an alternate delivery location. Thesystem may, for example, determine that Parcel A is associated withParcel B by comparing PLD information for parcel A and parcel B todetermine whether parcels A and B have matching consignees, matchingprimary delivery addresses, matching consignee account numbers, or othermatching PLD information or combination of matching PLD information.

In other embodiments, the one or more second parcels associated with thefirst parcel may include one or more second parcels that are associatedwith the first parcel by virtue of the one or more second parcels beingassociated with (e.g., addressed to) an individual to whom the consigneehas given authorization to pick up parcels from alternate deliverylocations on the consignee's behalf. In such embodiments, the one ormore second parcels may be associated with an individual authorized topick up the first parcel on the consignee's behalf. In variousembodiments, the system may be configured to receive, from a particularconsignee (e.g., a first consignee), authorization for particular otherindividuals (e.g., other consignees) to retrieve parcels from alternatedelivery locations on their behalf. Various techniques for authorizingparcel pickup are described more fully below in the context of theParcel Pickup Authorization Module 600.

In various embodiments, the system is configured to determine, for everyparcel at the alternate delivery location, whether any parcel has anauthorized individual (e.g., third party individual) that has beenauthorized by the first consignee to retrieve parcels on their behalf.The system may, for example, retrieve package level detail informationfor each parcel at the alternate delivery location (e.g., the system mayretrieve the PLD information from the one or more databases 140). Thesystem may further store a list of individuals that the first consigneehas authorized to retrieve parcels on their behalf. The system may usethe PLD information to determine a consignee for each of the parcels atthe alternate delivery location, and compare the consignee for eachparcel to the list of individuals authorized to retrieve parcels for thefirst consignee to determine whether there are one or more secondparcels currently stored at the alternate delivery location that areassociated with the first parcel (e.g., to determine whether one or moreauthorized third party individuals have one or more second parcelscurrently stored at the alternate delivery location).

In still other embodiments, the one or more second parcels associatedwith the first parcel may include one or more second parcels that areassociated with the first parcel based on one or more business rules ofa logistics provider that is currently handling the delivery of thefirst parcel. For example, in various embodiments, a logistics providermay have criteria for determining whether parcels are associated withone another for the purposes of routing directly to alternate deliverylocations in lieu of making a delivery attempt at a primary deliverylocation. In particular embodiments, the system may be configured toenable a particular logistics provider to define the criteria (e.g.,using pre-designed criteria, one or more drop down menus, one or moredefined rules, etc.). In various embodiments, the system may store thedefined criteria in memory. For example, a particular logistics providermay have one or more criteria that one or more second parcels areassociated with the first parcel where: (1) the one or more secondparcels have a second consignee that has the same primary deliveryaddress as the consignee (e.g., because they are roommates, spouses,siblings, etc.); (2) the one or more parcels have an authorized thirdparty that is a neighbor of the consignee (e.g., has a primary deliveryaddress that is adjacent to or near the consignee); and/or (3) any othersuitable criteria.

In various embodiments, the system is configured to determine whetherthe one or more second parcels are currently awaiting pick up by, forexample: (1) retrieving package level detail information associated withthe one or more second parcels (e.g., from the one or more databases140); (2) determining tracking information for the one or more secondparcels based on the package level detail information; and (3) using thetracking information to determine whether the one or more second parcelsare currently stored at the alternate delivery location (e.g., lockerbank) and have not been retrieved by an associated consignee. Inparticular embodiments, the system is configured to retrieve the packagelevel detail information from the one or more databases 140.

In various embodiments, the alternate delivery location may be anysuitable delivery location. For example, in various embodiments, alogistics provider may assign a particular alternate delivery locationto a particular delivery route. In other embodiments, the alternatedelivery location may service a particular area or region. In particularembodiments, the alternate delivery location may include a preferredalternate delivery location for the consignee. In other embodiments, thealternate delivery location may be selected (e.g., automatically by thesystem) based on any other suitable factor. In particular embodiments,the system is configured to determine, for at least some of the parcelsat a plurality of alternate delivery locations, whether they areassociated with the first parcel and awaiting pickup. The plurality ofalternate delivery locations may include, for example, any alternatedelivery locations that service a particular area, any alternatedelivery locations within a particular distance of the primary deliverylocation, etc.

III. In Response to Determining that the One or More Second Parcels areCurrently Awaiting Pick Up at the Alternate Delivery Location, Routingthe First Parcel to the Alternate Delivery Location without AttemptingDelivery of the First Parcel at the Primary Delivery Location

Next, at Step 430, the system continues by, in response to determiningthat the one or more second parcels are currently awaiting pick up atthe alternate delivery location, routing the first parcel to thealternate delivery location without attempting delivery of the firstparcel at the primary delivery location. In various embodiments, routingthe first parcel to the alternate delivery location comprises modifyingrouting information for the first parcel and storing the modifiedrouting information in memory (e.g., in the one or more databases 140shown in FIG. 1).

In embodiments in which the first parcel has not yet been loaded on adelivery vehicle for delivery to the primary delivery location, thesystem may route the parcel directly to the alternate delivery locationin any suitable manner. This may include, for example, facilitatingloading, by the system, of the first parcel on any suitable deliveryvehicle that has a delivery route that includes the alternate deliverylocation (e.g., the same alternate delivery location that is currentlystoring the one or more second parcels). Various systems and techniquesfor altering routing of parcel are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,624,024,issued, Nov. 24, 2009, entitled, “Systems and Method for DynamicallyUpdating a Dispatch Plan”, which is hereby incorporated by reference inits entirety.

In still other embodiments, such as embodiments in which the firstparcel is already on the delivery vehicle for delivery to the primarydelivery location when the system determines that one or more secondparcels are currently awaiting pick up at the alternate deliverylocation, the system is configured to route the first parcel directly tothe alternate delivery location, by modifying delivery route informationfor the delivery vehicle. As may be understood by one skilled in theart, a delivery driver for a logistics company may deliver parcels togenerally the same area on a day-to-day basis, but the exact deliveryroute (e.g., including delivery stops, etc.) may vary from day-to-daybased on where in the delivery driver's delivery area there arelocations that the driver needs to deliver a parcel.

For each day, the system may generate a delivery route for the driver(e.g., including specific delivery stops) based on the plurality ofparcels that are loaded on the delivery driver's vehicle for delivery.The system may modify this generated delivery route in response todetermining that there are one or more second parcels awaiting pick upat the alternate delivery location, for example, by: (1) removing theprimary delivery location from the delivery route; and (2) adding thealternate delivery location to the delivery route (e.g., or adding thefirst parcel to a manifest of parcels scheduled for delivery at thealternate delivery location where the alternate delivery location isalready on the delivery route). In various embodiments, modification ofthe delivery route may occur while the delivery vehicle is in the middleof the delivery route.

In particular embodiments, the system may, in response to routing thefirst parcel to the alternate delivery location, transmit a notificationto, for example: (1) the consignee; (2) an individual associated withthe one or more second parcels (e.g., a consignee of the one or moresecond parcels or a third party authorized individual); and (3) adelivery driver. For example, the system may transmit the notificationto one or more remote computing devices 150 associated with theindividual. In embodiments in which the one or more second parcels areassociated with an individual other than the first parcel's consignee,the system may be configured to transmit a message to the individualadvising the individual to wait until a later time to retrieve the oneor more second parcels (e.g., to ensure that the individual doesn'tretrieve the one or more second parcels from the alternate deliverylocation prior to delivery of the first parcel at the alternate deliverylocation).

In various embodiments, the system is configured to transmit a secondnotification to the individual once the first parcel is delivered at thealternate deliver location (e.g., so the individual is aware that theyare free to go retrieve their own parcel as well as the first parcel).In embodiments in which the system is configured to modify a deliveryroute of a delivery vehicle having a delivery driver during transport ofthe first parcel, the system may transmit a notification to the deliverydriver's mobile computing device 180 in response to modifying thedelivery route (e.g., to inform the driver not to stop at the primarydelivery location).

In particular embodiments, the system is configured to update trackinginformation for the first parcel. In various embodiments, the updatedtracking information may identify a triggering event that cause thesystem to route the first parcel directly to the alternate deliverylocation. For example, when the consignee checks tracking informationfor the first parcel, the tracking information may include anotification that “the first parcel was delivered to alternate deliverylocation A because your neighbor, Bob Smith, already has a parcel therefor pick up.” This may, for example, enable the consignee to coordinatewith Bob Smith regarding who will pick up the parcels.

B. Synchronized Parcel Delivery to a Locker Bank Module

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of operations performed by an exemplarySynchronized Parcel Delivery to a Locker Module Bank 500. In particularembodiments, a Synchronized Parcel Delivery to a Locker Module Bank 500may facilitate the grouping of related parcels in a single locker at alocker bank, regardless of when each individual parcel was delivered tothe locker bank. This may, for example, reduce a usage of lockers withinthe locker bank for related parcels and further reduce a chance that aparticular locker bank will fill up and become unable to acceptadditional parcel deliveries.

I. Receive a Request to Deliver a First Parcel at a Locker Bank

When executing the Synchronized Parcel Delivery to a Locker Bank Module500, the system begins at Step 510 by receiving a request to deliver afirst parcel at a locker bank. In particular embodiments, the firstparcel has an associated first consignee. In some embodiments, thesystem is configure to receive the request via the locker bank computer130. In other embodiments, the system receives the request via thedelivery driver's mobile computing device 180 (e.g., while the deliverydriver's mobile computing device is in wireless communication with thelocker bank computer 130).

In particular embodiments, the system may receive the request from adelivery driver, for example, in response to receiving, from thedelivery driver, at least a portion of a tracking number (e.g., 1Znumber) associated with the one or more parcels. The delivery drivermay, for example, enter the at least a portion of the tracking number ona suitable alphanumeric entry device associated with the locker bankcomputer 130 (e.g., such as a keyboard, touchscreen, etc.). In variousembodiments, the at least a portion of the tracking number may includeany suitable portion of the tracking number. For example, the suitableportion of the tracking number may include: (1) the first or last threedigits and/or letters of the tracking number; (2) the first or last fourdigits and/or letters of the tracking number; (3) the first or last fivedigits and/or letters of the tracking number; (4) the first or last sixdigits and/or letters of the tracking number; and/or (5) any suitablenumber of letters or digits that make up any suitable portion of thetracking number (e.g., first three and last three, etc.).

In other embodiments, the system is configured to receive the request todeliver the first parcel to the locker bank at least partially inresponse to receiving input of a machine-readable indicia (e.g., such asa linear barcode, QR code, RFID tag, electronic tag, or other suitableindicia), which may, for example, be printed on the first parcel andassociated with tracking information for the first parcel. In variousembodiments, the locker bank computer 130 may comprise one or moremachine-readable indicia scanners (e.g., such as a barcode scanner, RFIDreader), configured to enable the delivery driver (e.g., or another) toscan a machine-readable indicia on a particular parcel (e.g., affixed tothe particular parcel, printed on the particular parcel, etc.). Inparticular embodiments, the system may retrieve information associatedwith the machine-readable information, such as, for example, trackinginformation for the particular parcel. The system may, for example,retrieve the information by locating a stored record (e.g., PLD record)for the parcel in the one or more databases 140 using a tracking numberor other unique identifier associated with the parcel. In particularembodiments, the system is configured to interpret a scanning of amachine-readable indicia associated with a particular parcel as arequest to deliver the first parcel to the locker bank.

II. Determine Whether the Locker Bank is Currently Storing One or MoreSecond Parcels Associated with the First Parcel

Continuing to Step 520, the system is configured to determine whetherthe locker bank is currently storing one or more second parcelassociated with the first parcel. In various embodiments, the system isconfigured to determine whether the locker bank is currently storing oneor more second parcel associated with the first parcel by, for example:(1) retrieving package level detail information associated with aplurality of parcels currently stored at the locker bank; and (2) usingthe package level detail information to determine which of the pluralityof parcels are one or more second parcels that are associated with thefirst parcel. In particular embodiments, the system is configured toretrieve the package level detail information from the one or moredatabase 140.

In various embodiments, the system may be configured to determine thatone or more second parcels are associated with the first parcel basedon, for example: (1) the one or more second parcels having a consigneethat is the same as the first consignee; (2) the one or more secondparcels has the same primary delivery address as the first parcel; (3)the one or more second parcels have a consignee that is identified as anauthorized 3^(rd) party for the first consignee; etc. In variousembodiments, the system may determine whether the one or more secondparcels are associated with the first parcel in order to group the firstparcel and the one or more second parcels into a single locker at thelocker bank. In particular embodiments, the system may be configured togroup the parcels into a single locker with an understanding that anyparticular consignee associated with any of the grouped parcels mayretrieve all of the parcels grouped in the single locker at the sametime (e.g., and distribute the parcels to their proper consigneethemselves such as by dropping off a parcel at their neighbor's house).

III. In Response to Determining that the Locker Bank is CurrentlyStoring One or More Second Parcels Associated with the First Parcel,Determining, Based on Package Level Detail Information Associated withthe First Parcel and the One or More Second Parcels, Whether there is aSingle Locker at the Locker Bank that can Physically Accommodate theFirst Parcel and the One or More Second Parcels

Next, at Step 530, the system continues by, in response to determiningthat that the locker bank is currently storing one or more secondparcels associated with the first parcel, determining, based on packagelevel detail information associated with the first parcel and the one ormore second parcels, whether there is a single locker at the locker bankthat can physically accommodate the first parcel and the one or moresecond parcels. As discussed above, by seeking to group related parcelsinto a single locker, the system may reduce a number of lockers taken upby parcels which will be retrieved by the same individual (e.g.,consignee) at a particular locker bank. Grouping the parcels in a singlelocker may further ease retrieve the parcels from the locker bank (e.g.,by only requiring the individual to grab parcels from a single lockerrather than two or more different lockers).

The system may determine whether there is a single locker at the lockerbank that can physically accommodate the first parcel and the one ormore second parcels by, for example: (1) retrieving (e.g., from the oneor more databases 140) package level detail information for the firstparcel and the one or more second parcels, the package level detailinformation comprising one or more dimensions (e.g., length, width, andheight) of the first parcel and the one or more second parcels; (2)retrieving size information (e.g., such as volume) for one or morelockers at the locker bank (e.g., height, width, depth, etc.); and (3)determining based on the one or more dimensions of the first parcel andthe one or more second parcels and the size information for the one ormore lockers, whether a particular one of the one or more lockers canphysically accommodate the first parcel and the one or more secondparcels (e.g., can fit a first parcel having a first length, a firstwidth, and a first height as well as one or more second parcels having asecond length, a second width, and a second height).

The system may, for example, make the determination by comparing the oneor more dimensions of the first parcels and the one or more secondparcels with the size information for the one or more lockers. Invarious embodiments, the system compares a combined dimension, such astotal width, length or height when the first parcel and the one or moresecond parcels are stacked on top of one another, placed adjacent oneanother, etc. with the size information for the one or more lockers todetermine whether any particular one of the one or more lockers canphysically accommodate the first parcel and the one or more secondparcels. In particular embodiments, physically accommodating the firstparcel and the one or more second parcels may include fitting the wholeof the first parcel and the one or more second parcels within theparticular locker's enclosure with the particular locker's door in aclosed position. In still further embodiments, physically accommodatingthe first parcel and the one or more second parcels includes havingcapacity to accept the first parcel and the one or more second parcels(e.g., the single locker is not currently storing one or more other,unrelated parcels).

In particular embodiments, the system is configured to store (e.g., inthe one or more database 140) size (e.g., cubic dimension) informationfor each particular locker within a locker bank. As may be understood inlight of this disclosure, a particular locker bank may include one ormore lockers of various sizes (e.g., small, medium, large). The systemmay store data related to dimensions (e.g., interior dimensions) of eachparticular locker size as well as a number of lockers having eachparticular locker size at a particular bank. In other embodiments, thesystem is further configured to track and store current capacity dataassociate with a particular locker bank (e.g., a number of currentlyoccupied versus unoccupied lockers).

IV. In Response to Determining that there is a Single Locker that canPhysically Accommodate the First Parcel and the One or More SecondParcels, Facilitate Placement of the First Parcel and the One or MoreSecond Parcels in the Single Locker

Continuing at Step 540, the system is configured to, in response todetermining that there is a single locker that can physicallyaccommodate the first parcel and the one or more second parcels,facilitate placement of the first parcel and the one or more secondparcels in the single locker. The system may, for example, cause thesingle locker's door to open in order to facilitate placement of thefirst parcel and the one or more second parcels within the single locker(e.g., the one or more locker bank computers 130 may cause the singlelocker's locker mechanism 392 to disengage and activate an actuator orother device to at least partially open the single locker's door 390).The system may then direct the delivery driver to place the first parceland the one or more second parcels in the single locker (e.g., the oneor more logistics servers 100 may transmit a message to the deliverydriver's mobile computing device 180 or the one or more locker bankcomputers 130 may display a message on its touch-screen display 340instructing the delivery driver to place the first parcel and the one ormore second parcels in the single locker).

As may be understood by one skilled in the art, in various embodiments,the one or more second parcels may already be stored within a particularlocker when the delivery driver arrives to deliver the first parcel tothe locker bank. In such embodiments, the system is configured to causethe single locker's door to open in addition to causing a door of alocker that is currently storing the one or more second parcels to open(e.g., to provide the delivery driver with access to the one or moresecond parcels for the purposes of grouping them with the first parcelin the single locker). The delivery driver may then retrieve the one ormore second parcels from the locker in which they are currently stored,and place them in the single, larger locker along with the first parcel.

In particular embodiments, the system may determine that the firstparcel will fit in the locker in which the one or more second parcelsare currently stored. In such embodiments, the system may cause thatlocker to open in response to determining that it can accommodate thefirst parcel in addition to the one or more second parcels when thedelivery driver is delivering the first parcel to the locker bank.

In still other embodiments, the system may determine that a locker thatcan accommodate the first parcel in addition to the one or more secondparcels is one or more sizes larger than the locker that is currentlystoring the one or more second parcels. In such embodiments, the systemmay facilitate placement of the first parcel and one or more secondparcels in a single locker by causing the locker currently storing theone or more second parcels (e.g., which may be a small sized locker) andone additional locker (e.g., such as a medium sized or large sizedlocker) to both open (e.g., by disengaging their respective lockingmechanisms). The delivery driver may then remove the one or more secondparcels from the small sized locker and place them, along with the firstparcel in the additional locker. In particular embodiments, such asembodiments in which the system causes an additional locker to openalong with the locker that is currently storing the one or more secondparcels, the system is configured to determine the appropriately sizedadditional locker that is most proximate to the locker storing the oneor more second parcels (e.g., to minimize a number of steps a deliverydriver must take to transfer the one or more second parcels to a largerlocker for storage along with the first parcel).

In embodiments in which the first parcel and the one or more secondparcels will not fit within a single locker in the locker bank (e.g.,because the parcels combine to be too large or there are too manyparcels), the system may be configured to group the first parcel and theone or more second parcels in as few lockers as possible. For example,if there are five total parcels among the first parcel and the one ormore second parcels, the system may be configured to group the fiveparcels into two lockers (e.g., a first locker and a second locker) withtwo parcels in the first locker and three parcels in the second locker.For example, the system may evaluate at least a portion of the possibleparcel groupings using the total dimension technique described above(e.g., total dimensions for Parcel A+Parcel B placed adjacent andstacked; total dimensions for Parcel A+Parcel B+Parcel C placed adjacentand stacked; total dimensions for Parcel A+Parcel C placed adjacent andstacked).

In various embodiments, once the parcels have been grouped into aparticular locker, the system is configured to associate each particularparcel with the particular locker in memory. The system may, forexample: (1) update tracking information associated with each parcel;and (2) store the updated tracking information in memory.

In still other embodiments, the system is configured to facilitateplacement of the first parcel and the one or more second parcels in asingle locker without determining whether the single locker issufficiently sized to accommodate all the parcels first. Once theparcels have been delivered to the single locker, the system may beconfigured to enable any consignee associated with any parcel in thelocker to retrieve all of the parcels from the locker on behalf of theother consignees. In order to retrieve the parcels, any particularconsignee may, for example, need to provide identifying information(e.g., name, e-mail address, phone number, etc.); provide identityconfirmation (e.g., such as an identification card or credit card) ortake any other suitable action to authorize release of the parcels(e.g., enter a private PIN, etc.). In various embodiments, the system isconfigured to authorize release of the parcels in any suitable manner.

C. Parcel Pickup Authorization Module

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of operations that may be performed by anexemplary Parcel Pickup Authorization Module 600. In particularembodiments, a Parcel Pickup Authorization Module 600 (e.g., executed bythe one or more logistics servers 100) is configured to enable aconsignee or other individual to provide one or more authorized thirdparties that are authorized to retrieve parcels on the consignee'sbehalf. In particular embodiments, the system is further configured toenable the consignee to indicate one or more other individuals that theconsignee would agree to potentially have pick up parcels for them froman alternate delivery location in lieu of having a logistics providerattempt a delivery of those parcels at the consignee's primary deliveryaddress.

I. Receive, from a User, a Request to Authorize One or More Individualsto Pick Up Parcels from a Locker Bank on the User's Behalf

When executing the Parcel Pickup Authorization Module 600, the system(e.g., the one or more logistics servers 100) begins at Step 610 byreceiving from a user, a request to authorize one or more individuals topick up parcels from a locker bank on the user's behalf. In particularembodiments, the system is configured to receive the request at the oneor more logistics servers 100. In various embodiments, the system mayreceive the request at the one or more logistics servers 100 via asoftware application installed on a remote computing device 150. Thesynchronized delivery system may, for example, provide the softwareapplication for installation on the remote computing device 150, whichmay include, for example, the user's smart phone or other suitableremote computing device 150. The software application may include a userinterface for providing access to a user account associated with alogistics provider (e.g., such as a UPS MyChoice Account). The systemmay enable the user to provide a name, address, and other identifyinginformation (e.g., phone number, etc.) associated with the one or moreindividuals as part of the request.

In various embodiments the one or more individuals may include anysuitable individual such as, for example, a neighbor, friend, relative,house-mate, spouse, co-worker, etc. In particular embodiments, the oneor more individuals may include an office manager of an apartmentbuilding or similar building in which the user resides. In particularembodiments, the one or more individuals may include any other suitableindividual.

II. In Response to Receiving the Request, Prompt the One or MoreIndividuals to Approve the Authorization

Continuing at Step 620, the system, in response to receiving therequest, prompts the one or more individuals to approve theauthorization. In various embodiments, the system may prompt the one ormore individuals to approve the authorization by transmitting one ormore messages to a remote computing device 150 associated with the oneor more individuals (e.g., via text messages, e-mail, etc.). In variousembodiments, the system may prompt the one or more users to provide theapproval using a software application installed on the remote computingdevice 150. The synchronized delivery system may, for example, providethe software application for installation on the remote computing device150, which may include, for example, the user's smart phone or remotecomputing device 150. The software application may include a userinterface for providing access to a user account associated with alogistics provider (e.g., such as a UPS MyChoice Account).

The one or more individuals may provide the approval via the softwareapplication, by affirmatively responding to the one or more messages, orin any other suitable manner. As may be understood from this disclosure,it may be preferable in various embodiments for both a consignee toauthorize an individual to retrieve parcels on their behalf and for theindividual to agree to pick them up. In various embodiments, theauthorization may be reciprocal (e.g., the consignee and individual bothagree to pick up parcels on behalf of one another if need be).

In various embodiments, the request and/or authorization may include,for example: (1) a blanket approval of authorization for all parcelsassociated with the consignee, (2) a package specific approval, (3) atime specific approval (e.g., while the consignee is out of town), (4) asubstantially real-time approval (e.g., in response to a determinationby the system that a particular package is undeliverable).

III. In Response to Receiving the Approval of the Authorization, UpdateData Associated with the User to Include the One or More IndividualsAuthorized to Retrieve Parcels on the User's Behalf

Next, at Step 630, the system, in response to receiving the approval ofthe authorization, updates data associated with the user to include theone or more individuals authorized to retrieve parcels on the user'sbehalf. The system may, for example, update data associated with a useraccount associated with a logistics provider (e.g., such as a UPSMyChoice Account) for the user (e.g., by modifying the data and storingit in memory such as the one or more databases 140). In particularembodiments, the system updates and stores the data for later retrievalduring execution of the Direct-to-Locker-Bank Delivery DeterminationModule 400 described above when determining whether one or more secondparcels associated with a first parcel are awaiting pick up at acomputerized locker bank (e.g., to determine whether the one or moresecond parcels are associated with the first parcel).

IV. Receive, from a User, a Request to Deny One or More Individuals anAuthorization to Pick Up Parcels from a Locker Bank on the User's Behalf

Continuing at Step 640, the system receives, from the user, a request todeny one or more individuals an authorization to pick up parcels from alocker bank on the user's behalf. In various embodiments, the system mayreceive the request in any suitable manner, such as any manner describedabove with respect to Step 610. In some embodiments, the user may wishto deny particular individuals from being able to retrieve parcels onthe user's behalf. In various embodiments, for example, one or morebusiness rules of a logistics provider may dictate that the logisticsprovider will route a first parcel having a consignee directly to analternate delivery location where the consignee's roommate or neighboralready has to pick up their own parcel from the alternate deliverylocation. The consignee may, for any suitable reason (e.g., personalreasons, etc.) not desire for their neighbor or roommate (or othersuitable person) to be able to pick up the first parcel (e.g., or anyparcel). In such embodiments, the consignee could provide thatinformation to the logistics provider using the system in order tooverride the logistics provider's business rules (e.g., during thesystems determination process for routing parcels directly to lockerbanks).

V. In Response to Receiving the Request, Update Data Associated with theUser to Include the One or More Individuals Who are not Authorized toRetrieve Parcels on the User's Behalf

Continuing at Step 650, the system, in various embodiments, in responseto receiving the request, updates data associated with the user toinclude the one or more individuals who are not authorized to retrieveparcels on the user's behalf. The system may update the data in anysuitable manner, such as any manner discussed above with respect toupdating the data for authorized individuals in Step 630.

Exemplary System Implementation

FIGS. 7-9 depict illustrative examples of the implementation of asynchronized delivery system according to various embodiments. As may beunderstood from FIG. 7, a logistics provider may facilitate delivery ofa parcel from a distribution hub 710 using a delivery vehicle 720. Inthis example, if the delivery vehicle 720 is carrying a parcel scheduledfor delivery at a primary delivery location (e.g., house 730 a), thedelivery vehicle 720 travels along delivery route 722 to the house 730a. Once at the house 730 a, the delivery driver attempts to deliver theparcel to the house 730 a. If the delivery driver is not able to deliverthe parcel at the house 730 a, the driver may, for example, scan theparcel using his mobile computing device 180 to indicate to thesynchronized delivery system that delivery was unsuccessful. Uponreceiving the indication, the system may route the parcel to a suitablelocker bank 170 for the parcel's consignee to pick up at theirconvenience.

The system may then, when routing the parcel to the suitable locker bank170, update a delivery route of the delivery vehicle 720 to include astop at the suitable locker bank 720. The system may further updatetracking information for the parcel to indicate that the parcel will bedelivered to the locker bank 170 rather than the house 730 a. Thedelivery driver may then travel in the delivery vehicle 720 alongdelivery route 724 to the locker bank 720 (e.g., which may include oneor more additional stops prior to arriving at the locker bank 170), anddeliver the parcel to the locker bank 170.

In another implementation of this example, as shown in FIG. 7, thedelivery vehicle 720 may bypass the delivery attempt at the house 730 aand deliver the parcel directly to the locker bank 720 via deliveryroute 726. As may be understood from this figure, the system may, at anysuitable time prior to attempting delivery of the parcel at the house730 a, determine that the locker bank 170 is already storing one or moreparcels related to the parcel that is out for delivery (or about to beplaced on the delivery vehicle 720 for delivery). The system may, forexample, determine that the consignee's neighbor in house 730 b has aparcel that is currently stored in a locker at the locker bank 170 thatwas routed to the locker bank 170 following an unsuccessful deliveryattempt on a previous day. Because the neighbor has not yet picked uptheir parcel from the locker bank 170, the system may determine to routethe parcel, addressed to consignee in house 730 a, directly to thelocker bank 170. In various embodiments, the system is configured tomake the determination to route the parcel directly to the locker bank170 while the parcel is still at the distribution hub 710. Once thesecond parcel has been routed to the locker bank 170, either theconsignee at house 730 a or their neighbor in house 730 b can travel tothe locker bank 170, pick up both parcels, and deliver their neighbor'sparcel to them.

As may be understood from FIG. 7, routing a parcel directly to a lockerbank 170 may preclude the delivery vehicle 720 from having to travelalong delivery route 722 during its daily deliveries (e.g., or reduceits overall delivery route by whatever distance or time is required toattempt delivery at house 730 a).

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary delivery diagram showing a delivery routethat a delivery vehicle may take (e.g., during a particular day). As maybe understood from this figure, the delivery route begins at adistribution hub 710, and includes stops at seven house 730 a-f and astop at a locker bank 170. Although in this example, the stop at thelocker bank 170 is shown at the end of the route, it should beunderstood that a delivery route may include a stop at a locker bank 170at any suitable portion of the route. Other delivery routes may includemultiple stops at different locker banks throughout the route, ormultiple stops at the same locker bank. In some embodiments, it may bepreferable to make at least one final stop at a locker bank 170 during adelivery route in order to ensure that any unsuccessful deliveryattempts during the route can be dropped off at the locker bank 170, ifneeded.

FIG. 9 depicts an exemplary delivery diagram showing a delivery routehaving seven houses 730 a-f that skips a delivery attempt at aparticular house 730 f. In this example, the system may have determinedto skip a delivery attempt at house 730 f for any suitable reason. Forexample, the system may have determined that an unsuccessful deliveryattempt was made to house 730 f on a previous day, and there iscurrently an unretrieved parcel stored at the locker bank 170 stemmingfrom that unsuccessful delivery attempt. The system may have determinedthat a person authorized to retrieve parcels from locker banks on aconsignee having that house 730 f as a primary delivery address has anunretrieved parcel from the locker bank 170. The consignee may, forexample, have authorized any suitable individual to retrieve parcels ontheir behalf using a remote computing device 150 to login to an accountassociated with a logistics provider that is handling delivery of aparcel addressed to the consignee and provide the authorization. Theauthorized individual may include any suitable individual such as anysuitable individual living in any house 730 a-f, a family member, or anyother individual.

In various embodiments, a delivery vehicle may have left thedistribution hub 710 having a delivery route mapped out as shown in FIG.8 at the beginning of the route. At some time during the route, thesystem may have determined that a parcel scheduled for delivery at house730 f had an associated parcel currently stored at the locker bank 170that had not yet been picked up. The system may then have automaticallymodified the delivery route to remove house 730 f as a stop and avoid adelivery attempt of the parcel at the house 730 f—instead routing theparcel directly to the locker bank 170. In such an instance, the systemmay automatically transmit a notification to the delivery driver (e.g.,to the driver's mobile computing device 180) indicating the change tothe delivery route.

Exemplary Delivery Driver Experience

FIG. 10 depicts an exemplary delivery driver 740 experience whendelivering a first parcel 735 a to a locker bank 170 and grouping thefirst parcel 735 a with second, related parcel 735 b in a single locker310 b. As shown in this figure, when the delivery driver 740 arrives atthe locker bank 170 in his or her delivery vehicle 720, the deliverydriver 740 may utilize their mobile computing device 180 to request todeliver the first parcel 735 a to the locker bank 170. The mobilecomputing device 180 may transmit the request directly to the lockerbank computer 130 via a wireless communication channel (e.g., orindirectly via one or more networks 115 as shown in FIG. 1). The systemmay then receive the request (e.g., at one or more logistics servers100) and, in response, determine whether there are any parcelsassociated with (e.g., related to) the first parcel 735 a currentlystored at the locker bank 170 (e.g., in a locker at the locker bank).

The system may, for example, determine that a second parcel 735 b storedin medium-sized locker 310 a is associated with the first parcel 735.The first parcel 735 a and the second parcel 735 b may be related, forexample, in that the parcels (1) have the same delivery address, (2)have the same consignee; (3) have respective consignees that areauthorized to retrieve parcels on each other's behalf; (4) haverespective consignees that are neighbors, roommates, co-workers, etc.;or (5) are related for any other suitable reason. The system, inresponse to determining that the first parcel 735 a and the secondparcel 735 b are related may then determine whether there is a singlelocker at the locker bank that can physically accommodate (e.g., fit)both the first parcel 735 a and the second parcel 735 b). In thisexample, the system may determine that, based on the dimensions of firstparcel 735 a and the second parcel 735 b, the first parcel 735 a and thesecond parcel 735 b would both fit in a single, large-sized locker.

In response to determining that the first parcel 735 a and the secondparcel 735 b would both fit in a single, large-sized locker, the systemin this example may facilitate delivery of the first parcel 735 a andthe second parcel 735 b in a single, large-sized locker by: (1) causinga door of the medium-sized locker 310 a and a door of a large-sizedlocker 310 b to open (e.g., automatically by causing a locking mechanismof each door to disengage and causing an actuator or similar device tocause both doors to at least partially open); (2) instructing thedelivery driver (e.g., by displaying one or more instructions on thetouch-screen display 370 of the locker bank computer 130 or on a displayscreen of the mobile computing device 180) to remove the second parcel735 b from the medium-sized locker 310 a and place both the first parcel735 a and the second parcel 735 b in the large-sized locker 310 b.

The driver may then close the large-sized locker 310 b, which may causethe system to associate both the first parcel 735 a and the secondparcel 735 b with the large-sized locker 310 b in memory (e.g., byupdating tracking information or other package level detail informationassociated with the parcels). The system may then automatically activatethe locking mechanism of the large-sized locker 310 b to maintain thedoor in a closed position and locked state. The system may furtherupdate tracking information associated with the first parcel 735 a andthe second parcel 735 b to reflect the locker bank 170 at which they arelocated and the large-sized locker 310 b in which they both are stored.The system may further transmit a notification to the consignee of thefirst parcel 735 a and/or the second parcel 735 b indicating that thetwo parcels are housed at the locker bank for retrieval.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments of a synchronized delivery system may includefeatures or perform functions in addition to those described above.Various exemplary alternative embodiments of a synchronized deliverysystem are described below.

On-the-Fly Delivery Route Modification Based on Unsuccessful DeliveriesDuring Route

In various embodiments, the system is configured to modify a deliveryroute of a particular delivery vehicle in response to re-routing anyunsuccessful delivery on the delivery route to an alternate deliverylocation. In particular embodiments, the system may modify the deliveryroute periodically (e.g., in response to each re-routing);asynchronously, in response to a status change of any parcel currentlyout for delivery on the delivery vehicle; in response to a change inuser-submitted third party authorization pick up preferences, etc. Forexample, as a delivery driver progresses through their route, the systemmay receive one or more indications that one or more parcels were notsuccessfully delivered (e.g., because the consignee was not home, etc.).In response to the system rerouting such parcels to an alternatedelivery location, the system may, for each remaining parcel scheduledfor delivery during the delivery route, determine whether each parcel isassociated with any rerouted parcel. The system may then automaticallyroute any associated parcels to the alternate delivery location as well,without making a delivery attempt at those parcels' primary deliverylocation. For example, an unsuccessful delivery attempt of a firstparcel at a first house may result in routing of the first parcel to analternate delivery location. If there is a scheduled delivery on thedelivery route of a second parcel at a second house that is a neighborof the first house, the system may automatically route the second parcelto the alternate delivery location as well, without attempting thedelivery at the second house.

Skipping Parcel Grouping at Locker Bank Based on Capacity

In various embodiments, the system is configured to determine anavailability at a locker bank prior to grouping parcels within a singlelocker in the locker bank. For example, if the locker bank is mostlyempty (e.g., there are at least a particular number of available lockersat the locker bank), the system may determine that it is unnecessary togroup related parcels together to conserve capacity. The system may, forexample, utilize any suitable technique for predicting future capacityat the locker bank to determine whether it is necessary to attempt togroup related parcels at a time of delivery.

Asynchronous Pickups by Consignees and Others

In particular embodiments, a consignee (e.g., or another on theirbehalf) may not pick up all parcels at once when retrieving parcels froma locker bank. For example, where two or more parcels have beendelivered to a single locker, the consignee may retrieve fewer than allof the parcels for any reason (e.g., because carrying the parcels all atonce is too difficult, one of the parcels is too heavy, or for any othersuitable reason). In such embodiments, the system may, for example,store a notation that the parcel that was left behind should not begrouped with other parcels in a single locker again (e.g., in case thereis a subsequent delivery at a later time such as later that day or inthe next few days before the consignee returns to pick up the finalparcel that was left). The system may, for example, determine that aparcel was left behind using one or more weight sensors in the locker,using a suitable light curtain in the locker, using one or more camerasassociated with (e.g., positioned within) the locker, or using any othersuitable technique.

In particular embodiments, the system may determine for particularconsignees that it should never facilitate a grouping of a plurality ofparcels in a single locker because, for example, that consigneefrequently leaves at least one parcel behind when retrieving groupedparcels. In other embodiments, the system may modify tracking data forthe left-behind parcel to reattempt delivery at the primary deliverylocation for that parcel. The system may, for example: (1) instruct adelivery driver to retrieve the parcel from the locker; and (2)facilitate delivery to the primary delivery location. This course ofaction may, for example, be helpful for consignees who have troubleretrieving multiple parcels from a locker bank at once (e.g., due to ahandicap or other factors such as having to walk the parcels back totheir home such as in an urban environment).

CONCLUSION

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come tomind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains havingthe benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions andthe associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that theinvention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed andthat modifications and other embodiments are intended to be includedwithin the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms areemployed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense onlyand not for the purposes of limitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A direct-to-locker bank delivery systemcomprising: a computerized locker bank comprising: a plurality ofselectively securable locker compartments, each of the plurality ofselectively securable locker compartments comprising one or more doorsand one or more locking mechanisms; and one or more locker bankcomputers comprising one or more processors and memory; and one or moreremote logistics servers comprising one or more processors and memory,wherein: the memory stores: first package level detail information for afirst parcel, the first package level detail information comprising dataassociated with a first consignee, including a delivery address andfirst consignee identification information; package level detailinformation for one or more parcels currently stored at the computerizedlocker bank, wherein the package level detail information comprises, foreach respective parcel of the plurality of parcels, consigneeinformation for the respective parcel; and the one or more processorsare configured to: receive an indication that the first parcel isscheduled for delivery to the delivery address; determine whether theone or more parcels currently stored at the computerized locker bankcomprise one or more second parcels associated with the first parcelbased on the package level detail information for the one or moreparcels currently stored at the computerized locker bank and the firstpackage level detail information; in response to determining that theone or more parcels currently stored at the computerized locker bankcomprise the one or more second parcels, route the first parcel to thecomputerized locker bank without attempting delivery of the first parcelat the primary delivery location; receive a request to store the firstparcel in the computerized locker bank; and in response to receiving therequest, operate the one or more locking mechanisms on a particular oneof the plurality of selectively securable locker compartments to openthe one or more doors.
 2. The direct-to-locker bank delivery system ofclaim 1, wherein: the first package level detail information furthercomprises one or more dimensions of the first parcel; the one or morepieces of package level detail information for the one or more parcelscurrently stored at the computerized locker bank further comprise, foreach respective parcel of the plurality of parcels, one or moredimensions of the respective parcel; and the one or more processors arefurther configured to: determine, based on the one or more dimensions ofthe first parcel and one or more dimensions of the one or more secondparcels, whether a particular one of the plurality of selectivelysecurable locker compartments is sufficiently large to accommodate boththe first parcel and the one or more second parcels; and in response todetermining that the particular one of the plurality of selectivelysecurable locker compartments is sufficiently large to accommodate boththe first parcel and the one or more second parcels, facilitateplacement of the first parcel and the one or more second parcels in theparticular one of the plurality of selectively securable lockercompartments.
 3. The direct-to-locker bank delivery system of claim 1,wherein: routing the first parcel to the computerized locker bankwithout attempting delivery of the first parcel at the primary deliverylocation comprises modifying a delivery route of a delivery vehiclescheduled to deliver the first parcel to the primary delivery location.4. The direct-to-locker bank delivery system of claim 1, wherein:routing the first parcel to the computerized locker bank withoutattempting delivery of the first parcel at the primary delivery locationcomprises modifying tracking information associated with the firstparcel to include an updated destination of the computerized lockerbank; and the one or more processors are further configured to store themodified tracking information in memory.
 5. The direct-to-locker bankdelivery system of claim 1, wherein: the one or more processors arefurther configured to determine whether the one or more parcelscurrently stored at the computerized locker bank comprise the one ormore second parcels based on one or more business rules associated witha logistics provider that is facilitating delivery of the first parcel;the one or more business rules comprise a business rule to route thefirst parcel directly to the computerized locker bank without attemptingdelivery of the first parcel at the primary delivery location inresponse to determining that the one or more parcels currently stored atthe computerized locker bank comprise a parcel having a consignee thatis a neighbor of the first consignee.
 6. The direct-to-locker bankdelivery system of claim 1, wherein: the one or more processors arefurther configured to determine whether the one or more parcelscurrently stored at the computerized locker bank comprise the one ormore second parcels based on whether the one or more parcels currentlystored at the computerized locker bank comprise a parcel having aconsignee that is authorized to retrieve parcels from the computerizedlocker bank on behalf of the first consignee.
 7. The direct-to-lockerbank delivery system of claim 6, wherein: the one or more processors arefurther configured to: receive, from the consignee, a request toauthorize one or more individuals to pick up parcels from thecomputerized locker bank on behalf of the consignee; in response toreceiving the request, update data associated with the consignee toinclude the one or more individuals authorized to retrieve the parcelson behalf of the consignee; and store the updated data in memory.
 8. Thedirect-to-locker bank delivery system of claim 7, wherein the one ormore processors are further configured to enable the consignee toprovide a selection of one or more unauthorized individuals that are notauthorized to pick up parcels from the computerized locker bank onbehalf of the consignee.
 9. The direct-to-locker bank delivery system ofclaim 1, wherein: the one or more processors are further configured todetermine whether the one or more parcels currently stored at thecomputerized locker bank comprise the one or more second parcels basedon whether the one or more parcels currently stored at the computerizedlocker bank comprise a parcel having a second consignee; and the secondconsignee is the first consignee.
 10. The direct-to-locker bank deliverysystem of claim 1, wherein: the direct-to-locker bank delivery systemfurther comprises a network of a plurality of computerized locker banks;and the computerized locker bank is a particular computerized lockerbank in the network of the plurality of computerized locker banks.
 11. Acomputer-implemented method of facilitating delivery of a first parcelto a locker bank, the method comprising: receiving, by one or moreprocessors, at a logistics server, a request to deliver the first parcelto a first location; at least partially in response to receiving therequest, determining, by one or more processors, for at least one secondlocation, whether one or more second parcels currently stored at the atleast one second location are associated with the first parcel, whereinthe at least one second location comprises: the locker bank comprising:a plurality of selectively securable locker compartments, each of theplurality of selectively securable locker compartments comprising one ormore doors and one or more locking mechanisms; and one or more lockerbank computers comprising one or more processors and memory; in responseto determining that the one or more second parcels are associated withthe first parcel, routing, by one or more processors, the first parcelto the second location; receiving, by one or more processors, a requestto deliver the first parcel to the computerized locker bank at thesecond location; and in response to receiving the request, operating, byone or more processors, the one or more locking mechanisms on aparticular one of the plurality of selectively securable lockercompartments to open the one or more doors.
 12. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 11, wherein: the first location is the at least onesecond location; the first parcel has a first consignee; and determiningwhether one or more second parcels currently stored at the at least onesecond location are associated with the first parcel comprisesdetermining whether the one or more second parcels have a secondconsignee selected from a group consisting of: i. a neighbor of thefirst consignee; ii. an individual that shares a primary deliveryaddress with the first consignee; and iii. the first consignee.
 13. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 12, further comprising: retrieving,by one or more processors, first package level detail information forthe first parcel, the first package level detail information comprisingone or more first dimensions; retrieving, by one or more processors,second package level detail information for the one or more secondparcels associated with the first parcel, the second package detaillevel information comprising one or more second dimensions; determining,by one or more processors, based on the one or more first dimensions andthe one or more second dimensions, whether a particular one of theplurality of selectively securable locker compartments is sufficientlylarge to accommodate both the first parcel and the one or more secondparcels associated with the first parcel; and in response to determiningthat the particular one of the plurality of selectively securable lockercompartments is sufficiently large to accommodate both the first parceland the one or more second parcels associated with the first parcel,facilitating placement, by one or more processors, of the first parceland the one or more second parcels associated with the first parcel inthe particular one of the plurality of selectively securable lockercompartments.
 14. The computer-implemented method of claim 13, wherein:the one or more second parcels associated with the first parcel arecurrently stored in a second particular one of the plurality ofselectively securable locker compartments; and facilitating placement ofthe first parcel and the one or more second parcels associated with thefirst parcel in the particular one of the plurality of selectivelysecurable locker compartments comprises: operating, by one or moreprocessors, the one or more locking mechanisms on the particular one ofthe plurality of selectively securable locker compartments to open theone or more doors; operating, by one or more processors, the one or morelocking mechanisms on the second particular one of the plurality ofselectively securable locker compartments to open the one or more doors;facilitating a transfer, by one or more processors, of the one or moresecond parcels associated with the first parcel from the secondparticular one of the plurality of selectively securable lockercompartments to the particular one of the plurality of selectivelysecurable locker compartments; and facilitating placement, by one ormore processors, of the first parcel in the particular one of theplurality of selectively securable locker compartments with the one ormore second parcels associated with the first parcel.
 15. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 13, wherein: the one or more secondparcels associated with the first parcel are currently stored in theparticular one of the plurality of selectively securable lockercompartments; and facilitating placement of the first parcel and the oneor more second parcels associated with the first parcel in theparticular one of the plurality of selectively securable lockercompartments comprises: operating, by one or more processors, the one ormore locking mechanisms on the particular one of the plurality ofselectively securable locker compartments to open the one or more doors;and facilitating placement, by one or more processors, of the firstparcel in the particular one of the plurality of selectively securablelocker compartments with the one or more second parcels associated withthe first parcel.
 16. The computer-implemented method of claim 11,wherein: the first location is a primary delivery location of the firstparcel; the first parcel has a first consignee; and determining whetherone or more second parcels currently stored at the at least one secondlocation are associated with the first parcel comprises determiningwhether the one or more second parcels have a second consignee selectedfrom a group consisting of: i. a neighbor of the first consignee; ii. anindividual that shares the primary delivery address with the firstconsignee; and iii. the first consignee.
 17. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 16, wherein: the method comprises determining whetherone or more second parcels currently stored at the at least one secondlocation are associated with the first parcel at a time while the firstparcel is loaded on a delivery vehicle and en route to the primarydelivery location, but prior to a delivery attempt of the first parcelat the primary delivery location.
 18. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 16, wherein: the method comprises determining whether one or moresecond parcels currently stored at the at least one second location areassociated with the first parcel at a time prior to the first parcelbeing placed on a delivery vehicle for delivery to the primary deliverylocation.
 19. The computer-implemented method of claim 16, whereinrouting the first parcel to the second location comprises routing thefirst parcel to the second location prior to a delivery attempt of thefirst parcel at the primary delivery location.
 20. A locker deliverysystem comprising: a computerized locker bank comprising: a plurality ofselectively securable locker compartments, each of the plurality ofselectively securable locker compartments comprising one or more doorsand one or more locking mechanisms; and one or more locker bankcomputers comprising one or more processors and memory; and one or moreremote logistics servers comprising one or more processors and memory,wherein: the memory stores: first package level detail information for afirst parcel, the first package level detail information comprising dataassociated with a first consignee and one or more first dimensions ofthe first parcel; one or more pieces of package level detail informationfor one or more parcels currently stored at the computerized lockerbank, wherein the one or more pieces of package level detail informationcomprise, for each respective parcel of the plurality of parcels,consignee information for each respective parcel and one or more seconddimensions of each respective parcel; and the one or more processors areconfigured to: receive an indication that the first parcel is scheduledfor delivery at a primary delivery location; determine whether the oneor more parcels currently stored at the computerized locker bankcomprise one or more second parcels associated with the first parcelbased on the one or more pieces of package level detail information forthe one or more parcels currently stored at the computerized locker bankand the first package level detail information, wherein determiningwhether the one or more parcels currently stored at the computerizedlocker bank comprise one or more second parcels associated with thefirst parcel comprises determining whether any of the one or moreparcels currently stored at the computerized locker bank have aconsignee selected from a group consisting of: (i) a neighbor of thefirst consignee; (ii) an individual that shares the primary deliveryaddress with the first consignee; and (iii) the first consignee; inresponse to determining that the one or more parcels currently stored atthe computerized locker bank comprise the one or more second parcels,route the first parcel to the computerized locker bank withoutattempting delivery of the first parcel at the primary deliverylocation; receive a request to deliver the first parcel to thecomputerized locker bank; in response to receiving the request,determine, based on the one or more first dimensions and the one or moresecond dimensions, whether a particular one of the plurality ofselectively securable locker compartments is sufficiently large toaccommodate both the first parcel and the one or more second parcelsassociated with the first parcel; determine which of the plurality ofselectively securable locker compartments is currently storing the oneor more second parcels; operate, the one or more locking mechanisms onthe particular one of the plurality of selectively securable lockercompartments to open the one or more doors; operate the one or morelocking mechanisms on the selectively securable locker compartment thatis currently storing the one or more second parcels to open the one ormore doors; facilitate a transfer of the one or more second parcelsassociated with the first parcel from the selectively securable lockercompartment that is currently storing the one or more second parcels tothe particular one of the plurality of selectively securable lockercompartments; and facilitate placement of the first parcel in theparticular one of the plurality of selectively securable lockercompartments along with the one or more second parcels associated withthe first parcel.